Understanding UTI Testing Options | Dr. Nicholas Sanford with Live UTI Free (LUF)

Host Melissa Kramer interviews Dr. Nicholas Sanford, Vice President of Medical Affairs and Assistant Laboratory Director at MicroGenDX, to explore how advanced molecular testing is transforming the landscape of UTI diagnosis. If you’ve ever had UTI symptoms but were told your test was “negative,” this episode explains why standard tests like dipsticks and cultures often miss infections—and what other options are available.Dr. Sanford shares how MicroGenDX’s qPCR + NGS testing approach offers greater sensitivity and faster results, even detecting bacteria in biofilms or deep within bladder tissue. With over a million urological samples processed, their data is helping shape better care for patients with chronic and recurrent UTIs.Key Takeaways:Learn why cultures and dipsticks can fail, especially for those with chronic symptoms, and how molecular methods pick up what others miss.Gain a clear understanding of how this dual method operates, including the detection of resistance genes and biofilm-related infections.Understand how to collect your sample properly, why your partner may need testing too, and what to know about testing after antibiotics.Want to learn more about urinary health? Visit LiveUTIFree.com for expert articles on the latest research, or check out our YouTube channel for a video format.